Extendable lift arm assembly for a front end loading refuse vehicle

ABSTRACT

A lift assembly includes a lift arm having a first arm portion, a second arm portion, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The first arm portion has a first end coupled to a chassis and/or a body of a vehicle. The second arm portion interfaces with the first arm portion and terminates with a second end. The first actuator facilitates repositioning the second arm portion relative to the first arm portion. The second actuator facilitate pivoting the first arm portion about the first end. The first actuator is configured to reposition the second arm portion relative to the first arm portion when the second actuator pivots the lift arm between a stowed position and a working position such that a relative distance between the first end and the second end changes as the second actuator pivots the lift arm between the stowed position and the working position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/013,041, filed Sep. 4, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/227,901, filed Dec. 20, 2018, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/609,076, filed Dec. 21,2017, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND

Refuse vehicles collect a wide variety of waste, trash, and othermaterial from residences and businesses. Operators of the refusevehicles transport the material from various waste receptacles within amunicipality to a storage or processing facility (e.g., a landfill, anincineration facility, a recycling facility, etc.).

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a refuse vehicle. The refuse vehicle includesa chassis, a body coupled to the chassis, a cab coupled to the chassisin front of the body, and a lift assembly. The lift assembly includes afirst lift arm, a second lift arm, a first actuator, a second actuator,a third actuator, and a fourth actuator. The first lift arm includes afirst arm portion and a second arm portion. The first arm portion has(i) a first pivot end pivotally coupled to the body and (ii) a firstinterface end. The second arm portion has (i) a second interface endthat interfaces with the first interface end of the first arm portionand (ii) a first implement end configured to interface with animplement. The second lift arm includes a third arm portion and a fourtharm portion. The third arm portion has (i) a second pivot end pivotallycoupled to the body and (ii) a third interface end. The fourth armportion has (i) a fourth interface end that interfaces with the thirdinterface end of the third arm portion and (ii) a second implement endconfigured to interface with the implement. The first actuator ispositioned to facilitate repositioning the second arm portion relativeto the first arm portion. The second actuator is positioned tofacilitate repositioning the fourth arm portion relative to the thirdarm portion. The third actuator is coupled to the first arm portion ofthe first lift arm. The fourth actuator is coupled to the third armportion of the second lift arm. The third actuator and the fourthactuator facilitate pivoting the lift assembly between a stowed positionand a working position. The first actuator is configured to repositionthe second arm portion relative to the first arm portion and the secondactuator is configured to reposition the fourth arm portion relative tothe third arm portion when the third actuator and the fourth actuatorpivot the lift assembly between the stowed position and the workingposition such that the lift assembly clears the cab.

Another embodiment relates to a lift assembly for a vehicle. The liftassembly includes a first lift arm, a second lift arm, a first actuator,a second actuator, a third actuator, and a fourth actuator. The firstlift arm includes a first arm portion and a second arm portion. Thefirst arm portion has (i) a first pivot end and (ii) a first interfaceend. The second arm portion has (i) a second interface end thatinterfaces with the first interface end of the first arm portion and(ii) a first implement end. The second lift arm includes a third armportion and a fourth arm portion. The third arm portion has (i) a secondpivot end and (ii) a third interface end. The fourth arm portion has (i)a fourth interface end that interfaces with the third interface end ofthe third arm portion and (ii) a second implement end. The firstactuator is positioned to facilitate repositioning the second armportion of the first lift arm relative to the first arm portion of thefirst lift arm. The second actuator is positioned to facilitaterepositioning the fourth arm portion of the second lift arm relative tothe third arm portion of the second lift arm. The third actuator iscoupled to the first arm portion of the first lift arm. The fourthactuator is coupled to the third arm portion of the second lift arm. Thethird actuator and the fourth actuator facilitate pivoting the liftassembly between a stowed position and a working position. The firstactuator is configured to reposition the second arm portion relative tothe first arm portion and the second actuator is configured toreposition the fourth arm portion relative to the third arm portion whenthe third actuator and the fourth actuator pivot the lift assemblybetween the stowed position and the working position such that arelative distance (i) between the first pivot end and the firstimplement end and (ii) between the second pivot end and the secondimplement end changes as the third actuator and the fourth actuatorpivot the lift assembly between the stowed position and the workingposition.

Still another embodiment relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes achassis, a body coupled to the chassis, and a lift assembly coupled toat least one of the chassis or the body. The lift assembly includes afirst lift arm and a second lift arm. The first lift arm includes afirst arm portion, a second arm portion, a first actuator, and a secondactuator. The first arm portion has a first end coupled to the at leastone of the chassis or the body. The second arm portion interfaces withthe first arm portion and terminates with a second end. The firstactuator is positioned to facilitate repositioning the second armportion relative to the first arm portion. The second actuator ispositioned to facilitate pivoting the first arm portion about the firstend. The second lift arm includes a third arm portion, a fourth armportion, a third actuator, and a fourth actuator. The third arm portionhas a third end coupled to the at least one of the chassis or the body.The fourth arm portion interfaces with the third arm portion andterminates with a fourth end. The third actuator is positioned tofacilitate repositioning the fourth arm portion relative to the thirdarm portion. The fourth actuator is positioned to facilitate pivotingthe third arm portion about the third end. The first actuator isconfigured to reposition the second arm portion relative to the firstarm portion and the third actuator is configured to reposition thefourth arm portion relative to the third arm portion when the secondactuator and the fourth actuator pivot the lift assembly between astowed position and a working position such that a relative distance (i)between the first end and the second end and (ii) between the third endand the fourth end changes as the second actuator and the fourthactuator pivot the lift assembly between the stowed position and theworking position.

The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being carried outin various ways. Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to otherfeatures and combinations of features as may be recited in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will become more fully understood from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refuse vehicle, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is side view of an extendable lift arm assembly in a stowedposition, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the extendable lift arm assembly of FIG. 2 inan intermediate position, according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of the extendable lift arm assembly of FIG. 2 inan extended working position, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplaryembodiments in detail, it should be understood that the presentapplication is not limited to the details or methodology set forth inthe description or illustrated in the figures. It should also beunderstood that the terminology is for the purpose of description onlyand should not be regarded as limiting.

According to an exemplary embodiment, an extendable lift arm assembly(e.g., a telescoping lift arm assembly, etc.) for a vehicle (e.g., afront end loading refuse vehicle, a refuse truck, etc.) includes a pairof two-piece lift arms configured to be pivotally coupled to thevehicle. Each of the lift arms include a first arm portion slidablycoupled to a second arm portion. The second arm portion is extendedrelative to the first arm portion with an actuator. In one embodiment,the actuator extends between the first arm portion and the second armportion. The extendable lift arm assembly (e.g., extension of theactuator, movement of the second arm portion relative to the first armportion, etc.) may facilitate engaging a refuse container with theimplement without needing to move the vehicle forward (e.g., theextendable lift arm assembly provides additional reach, etc.). Theextendable lift arm assembly may additionally or alternatively provideclearance around more chassis configurations (e.g., conventional cabs,larger cabs, etc.). The extendable lift arm assembly may additionally oralternatively facilitate utilizing a conventional chassis, reducing thecost of the vehicle. The extendable lift arm assembly may additionallyor alternatively facilitate accommodating cabs of different shapes(e.g., heights, etc.) as the lift arm assembly may be extended (e.g.,automatically, etc.) to clear the cab (e.g., an upper trailing edgethereof, an upper leading edge thereof, etc.) and thereafter retractedto reduce the overall envelope of the vehicle.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, a front endloader, shown as refuse vehicle 10 (e.g., a garbage truck, a wastecollection truck, a sanitation truck, etc.), is configured as afront-loading refuse truck having an extendable lift arm assembly, shownas telescoping lift arm assembly 100. In other embodiments, the refusevehicle 10 is configured as a side-loading refuse truck or arear-loading refuse truck. In still other embodiments, the front endloader is another type of vehicle (e.g., a skid-loader, a telehandler, aplow truck, a boom lift, a construction vehicle, etc.). As shown in FIG.1, the refuse vehicle 10 includes a chassis, shown as frame 12; a bodyassembly, shown as body 14, coupled to the frame 12 (e.g., at a rear endthereof, etc.); and a cab, shown as cab 16, coupled to the frame 12(e.g., at a front end thereof, etc.). The cab 16 may include variouscomponents to facilitate operation of the refuse vehicle 10 by anoperator (e.g., a seat, a steering wheel, hydraulic controls, a userinterface, switches, buttons, dials, etc.). As shown in FIG. 1, therefuse vehicle 10 includes a prime mover, shown as engine 18, coupled tothe frame 12 at a position beneath the cab 16. The engine 18 isconfigured to provide power to a plurality of tractive elements, shownas wheel and tire assemblies 20, and/or to other systems of the refusevehicle 10 (e.g., a pneumatic system, a hydraulic system, etc.). Inother embodiments, the tractive elements include track elements. Theengine 18 may be configured to utilize one or more of a variety of fuels(e.g., gasoline, diesel, bio-diesel, ethanol, natural gas, etc.),according to various exemplary embodiments. According to an alternativeembodiment, the engine 18 additionally or alternatively includes one ormore electric motors coupled to the frame 12 (e.g., a hybrid refusevehicle, an electric refuse vehicle, etc.). The electric motors mayconsume electrical power from an on-board storage device (e.g.,batteries, ultra-capacitors, etc.), from an on-board generator (e.g., aninternal combustion engine, etc.), and/or from an external power source(e.g., overhead power lines, etc.) and provide power to the systems ofthe refuse vehicle 10.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the refuse vehicle 10 isconfigured to transport refuse from various waste receptacles within amunicipality to a storage and/or processing facility (e.g., a landfill,an incineration facility, a recycling facility, etc.). As shown in FIG.1, the body 14 includes a plurality of panels, shown as panels 32, atailgate 34, and a cover 36. The panels 32, the tailgate 34, and thecover 36 define a collection chamber (e.g., hopper, etc.), shown asrefuse compartment 30. Loose refuse may be placed into the refusecompartment 30 where it may thereafter be compacted. The refusecompartment 30 may provide temporary storage for refuse during transportto a waste disposal site and/or a recycling facility. In someembodiments, at least a portion of the body 14 and the refusecompartment 30 extend in front of the cab 16. According to theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the body 14 and the refuse compartment 30are positioned behind the cab 16. In some embodiments, the refusecompartment 30 includes a hopper volume and a storage volume. Refuse maybe initially loaded into the hopper volume and thereafter compacted intothe storage volume. According to an exemplary embodiment, the hoppervolume is positioned between the storage volume and the cab 16 (i.e.,refuse is loaded into a position of the refuse compartment 30 behind thecab 16 and stored in a position further toward the rear of the refusecompartment 30). In other embodiments, the storage volume is positionedbetween the hopper volume and the cab 16 (e.g., a rear-loading refusevehicle, etc.).

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the telescoping lift arm assembly 100 includes afirst lift arm, shown as right lift arm 110, coupled to a first side ofthe body 14 and/or the frame 12, and a second lift arm, shown as leftlift arm 112, coupled to an opposing second side of the body 14 and/orthe frame 12 such that the right lift arm 110 and the left lift arm 112extend forward of the cab 16 (e.g., a front-loading refuse vehicle,etc.). In other embodiments, the telescoping lift arm assembly 100extends rearward of the body 14 (e.g., a rear-loading refuse vehicle,etc.). In still other embodiments, the telescoping lift arm assembly 100extends from a side of the body 14 (e.g., a side-loading refuse vehicle,etc.). It should be noted that the description of the left lift arm 112provided herein with regards to FIGS. 2-4 similarly applies to the rightlift arm 110.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the left lift arm 112 (and similarly the rightlift arm 110) includes a first arm portion, shown as first arm portion120, and a second arm portion, shown as second arm portion 140. Thefirst arm portion 120 has a first end, shown as first end 122, pivotallycoupled to a side (e.g., the left side, the right side, etc.) of thebody 14 and/or the frame 12 at a first pivot point, shown as lift armpivot 40, and an opposing second end, shown as second end 124. As showin FIG. 4, the second end 124 has a protrusion, shown as projection 126,extending therefrom. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the first arm portion 120includes (i) a first coupler, shown as first bracket 128, coupled alongthe first arm portion 120 between the first end 122 and the second end124 (e.g., closer to the first end 122, proximate the first end 122,etc.), and (ii) a second coupler, shown as first flange 130, extendingfrom the first arm portion 120, proximate the second end 124.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the second arm portion 140 has a first end, shownas first end 142, and an opposing second end, shown as second end 144.As show in FIG. 4, the first end 142 defines a cavity, shown asextension cavity 146, positioned to slidably receive the projection 126of the first arm portion 120 (e.g., forming a telescoping assembly,etc.). In other embodiments, the second end 124 of the first arm portion120 defines the extension cavity 146 and the first end 142 of the secondarm portion 140 has the projection 126. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, thesecond arm portion 140 includes (i) a third coupler, shown as secondflange 150, extending from the second arm portion 140, proximate thefirst end 142, and (ii) a fourth coupler, shown as second bracket 152,coupled along the second arm portion 140 between the first end 142 andthe second end 144.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the telescoping lift arm assembly 100 includes apair of first actuators (e.g., hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic actuators,electric actuators, etc.), shown as pivot actuators 160, a pair ofextension actuators (e.g., hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic actuators,electric actuators, etc.), shown as extension actuators 170, animplement, shown as fork assembly 180, and a pair of third actuators(e.g., hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic actuators, electric actuators,etc.), shown as implement actuators 190. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, each ofthe pivot actuators 160 includes a first end, shown as first end 162,pivotally coupled to a side of the body 14 and/or the frame 12 at asecond pivot point, shown as pivot actuator pivot 42, and an opposingsecond end, shown as second end 164, coupled to the first bracket 128 ofthe first arm portion 120. According to an exemplary embodiment, thepivot actuators 160 are positioned such that extension and retractionthereof pivots the right lift arm 110 and the left lift arm 112 aboutthe lift arm pivot 40 between a stowed position, as shown in FIG. 2, anda working position, as shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, each of the extension actuators 170 includes afirst end, shown as first end 172, coupled to the first flange 130 ofthe first arm portion 120, and an opposing second end, shown as secondend 174, coupled to the second flange 150 of the second arm portion 140.In another embodiment, one or both of the extension actuators 170include a rotatory actuator (e.g., an electric stepper motor, ahydraulic motor, etc.) and a translator. The translator may be a rack(e.g., such that the extension actuator 170 is a rack and pinion device,etc.), a cable, a chain, a bar, etc. According to the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the extension actuators 170 arepositioned externally relative to the right lift arm 110 and the leftlift arm 112 and extend between the second end 124 of the first armportion 120 and the first end 142 of the second arm portion 140. Inother embodiments, the extension actuators 170 are positioned internallywithin the right lift arm 110 and the left lift arm 112 and extendbetween the second end 124 of the first arm portion 120 and the firstend 142 of the second arm portion 140. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the extension actuators 170 are positioned such thatextension and retraction thereof repositions (e.g., extends, retracts,etc.) the second arm portion 140 relative to the first arm portion 120between a retracted position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and an extendedposition, as shown in FIG. 4. According to an exemplary embodiment,retracting the extension actuators 170 provides increased clearance whenthe telescoping lift arm assembly 100 is in the stowed position andincreased reach when the telescoping lift arm assembly 100 is in theworking position.

In some embodiments, the extension actuators 170 are configured toextend (e.g., automatically, etc.) in response to the pivot actuators160 pivoting the right lift arm 110 and the left lift arm 112. By way ofexample, the extension actuators 170 may be configured to automaticallyextend based on a position of the telescoping lift arm assembly 100relative to the cab 16 and/or the frame 12. For example, the extensionactuators 170 may be configured to automatically extend as the forkassembly 180 reaches a position where the fork assembly 180 becomesclose to the cab 16 (e.g., an upper trailing edge thereof, an upperleading edge thereof, etc.) as the telescoping lift arm assembly 100 ispivoted between the stowed position and the working position (e.g., toprevent the fork assembly 180 from hitting the cab 16, etc.). Theextension actuators 170 may thereafter be configured to automaticallyretract after the cab 16 (e.g., the upper trailing edge thereof, theupper leading edge thereof, etc.) is cleared to reduce the overallenvelope of the refuse vehicle 10. Accordingly, the telescoping lift armassembly 100 facilitates using smaller lift arms on vehicles with largecabs without an issue (i.e., due to the extendibility provided by thetelescoping lift arm assembly 100).

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the fork assembly 180 includes a pair of pivotalcouplers, shown as fork brackets 182, and a pair of forks, shown asforks 188, coupled to the fork brackets 182. According to an exemplaryembodiment, one of the fork brackets 182 is coupled to a respective oneof the right lift arm 110 and the left lift arm 112. The forks 188 arerotationally fixed with the fork brackets 182 (e.g., pivotal movement ofthe fork brackets 182 causes the forks 188 to pivot therewith, etc.),according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, each of thefork brackets 182 includes (i) a first coupling point, shown as firstcoupling point 184, pivotally coupled to the second end 144 of thesecond arm portion 140 at a third pivot point, shown as fork assemblypivot 148, and (ii) a second coupling point, shown as second couplingpoint 186. Each of the implement actuators 190 includes a first end,shown as first end 192, coupled to the second bracket 152 of the secondarm portion 140 and an opposing second end, shown as second end 194,coupled to the second coupling point 186 of the fork brackets 182.According to an exemplary embodiment, the implement actuators 190 arepositioned such that extension and retraction thereof pivots the forkbrackets 182 and thereby the forks 188 about the fork assembly pivot 148between a stowed position, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, and a workingposition, as shown in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, the fork assembly180 is replaced or replaceable with a plow attachment; a quick attachassembly as disclosed in U.S. Application No. 15/610,421, filed May 31,2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; and/orstill another type of implement useable with the telescoping lift armassembly 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the telescoping lift arm assembly 100 is configuredto engage with a container, shown as refuse container 200. By way ofexample, the refuse vehicle 10 may be driven up to a refuse pick-uplocation. The pivot actuators 160 may then be engaged to pivot the rightlift arm 110 and the left lift arm 112 from the stowed position to theworking position, as well as the implement actuators 190 may be engagedto pivot the forks 188 from the stowed position to the working position.The refuse container 200 may thereafter be retrieved from its storagelocation and brought proximate the telescoping lift arm assembly 100 orthe refuse vehicle 10 may be driven up to the refuse container 200 suchthat the forks 188 align with fork tubes on the refuse container 200. Atraditional refuse vehicle includes non-extendable lift arms and,therefore, in order to bring forks of the non-extending lift arms intoengagement with fork tubes of a refuse container, the refuse vehicle hasto be driven forward such that the forks are received by the fork tubes.The extendibility of the telescoping lift arm assembly 100 eliminatessuch a need to drive the refuse vehicle 10 forward to bring the forks188 into engagement with the fork tubes of the refuse container 200. Forexample, once the fork tubes of the refuse container 200 are inalignment with the forks 188, the extension actuators 170 may beextended such that the second arm portions 140 extend from the first armportions 120, bringing the forks 188 into engagement with the fork tubesof the refuse container 200. Engaging the forks 188 with the extensionactuators 170 rather than by driving the refuse vehicle 10 forward mayprovide increased control, provide the ability to access refusecontainers 200 in tighter spaces, and/or provide still other advantages.

The pivot actuators 160 may thereafter be engaged to lift the refusecontainer 200 over the cab 16. According to an exemplary embodiment, theimplement actuators 190 are positioned to articulate the forks 188,where such articulation may assist in tipping refuse out of the refusecontainer 200 and into the hopper volume of the refuse compartment 30through an opening in the cover 36. According to an exemplaryembodiment, a door, shown as top door 38, is movably coupled along thecover 36 to seal the opening, thereby preventing refuse from escapingthe refuse compartment 30 (e.g., due to wind, bumps in the road, etc.).The pivot actuators 160 may thereafter be engaged to pivot the rightlift arm 110 and the left lift arm 112 to return the empty refusecontainer 200 to the ground. The extension actuators 170 may then beengaged to retract the forks 188 from the fork tubes of the refusecontainer 200 (e.g., without having to drive the refuse vehicle 10 inreverse, etc.).

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “substantially”,and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony withthe common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art towhich the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should beunderstood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure thatthese terms are intended to allow a description of certain featuresdescribed and claimed without restricting the scope of these features tothe precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms shouldbe interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in theappended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describevarious embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments arepossible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possibleembodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that suchembodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, as used herein, mean thejoining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Suchjoining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or movable (e.g., removable,releasable, etc.). Such joining may be achieved with the two members orthe two members and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two membersor the two members and any additional intermediate members beingattached to one another.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation ofvarious elements in the figures. It should be noted that the orientationof various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments,and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the presentdisclosure.

Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in itsexclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list ofelements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in thelist. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, andZ,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood withthe context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may beeither X, Y, Z, X and Y, X and Z, Y and Z, or X, Y, and Z (i.e., anycombination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive language is notgenerally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at leastone of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present,unless otherwise indicated.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of theelements of the systems and methods as shown in the exemplaryembodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments ofthe present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled inthe art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies ofthe components described herein may be constructed from any of a widevariety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, inany of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations.Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included withinthe scope of the present inventions. Other substitutions, modifications,changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions,and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments withoutdeparting from scope of the present disclosure or from the spirit of theappended claims.

1. A refuse vehicle comprising: a chassis; a body coupled to thechassis; a cab coupled to the chassis in front of the body; and a liftassembly including: a first lift arm including: a first arm portionhaving (i) a first pivot end pivotally coupled to the body and (ii) afirst interface end; and a second arm portion having (i) a secondinterface end that interfaces with the first interface end of the firstarm portion and (ii) a first implement end configured to interface withan implement; a second lift arm including: a third arm portion having(i) a second pivot end pivotally coupled to the body and (ii) a thirdinterface end; and a fourth arm portion having (i) a fourth interfaceend that interfaces with the third interface end of the third armportion and (ii) a second implement end configured to interface with theimplement; a first actuator positioned to facilitate repositioning thesecond arm portion relative to the first arm portion; a second actuatorpositioned to facilitate repositioning the fourth arm portion relativeto the third arm portion; a third actuator coupled to the first armportion of the first lift arm; and a fourth actuator coupled to thethird arm portion of the second lift arm; wherein the third actuator andthe fourth actuator facilitate pivoting the lift assembly between astowed position and a working position; and wherein the first actuatoris configured to reposition the second arm portion relative to the firstarm portion and the second actuator is configured to reposition thefourth arm portion relative to the third arm portion when the thirdactuator and the fourth actuator pivot the lift assembly between thestowed position and the working position such that the lift assemblyclears the cab.
 2. The refuse vehicle of claim 1, wherein a relativedistance (i) between the first pivot end and the first implement end and(ii) between the second pivot end and the second implement end changeswhen the third actuator and the fourth actuator pivot the lift assemblybetween the stowed position and the working position.
 3. The refusevehicle of claim 1, wherein the first actuator is positioned internallywithin the first lift arm.
 4. The refuse vehicle of claim 1, wherein thesecond actuator is positioned internally within the second lift arm. 5.The refuse vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first actuator is positionedexternally relative to the first lift arm.
 6. The refuse vehicle ofclaim 1, wherein the second actuator is positioned externally relativeto the second lift arm.
 7. The refuse vehicle of claim 1, wherein thefirst lift arm includes a first coupler positioned proximate the firstinterface end of the first arm portion of the first lift arm, whereinthe first lift arm includes a second coupler positioned proximate thesecond interface end of the second arm portion of the first lift arm,and wherein the first actuator extends between the first coupler and thesecond coupler.
 8. The refuse vehicle of claim 7, wherein the secondlift arm includes a third coupler positioned proximate the thirdinterface end of the third arm portion of the second lift arm, whereinthe second lift arm includes a fourth coupler positioned proximate thefourth interface end of the fourth arm portion of the second lift arm,and wherein the second actuator extends between the third coupler andthe fourth coupler.
 9. The refuse vehicle of claim 1, further comprisingthe implement, wherein the implement is coupled to the first implementend of the second arm portion of the first lift arm and the secondimplement end of the fourth arm portion of the second lift arm.
 10. Therefuse vehicle of claim 9, wherein the implement includes at least oneof a fork assembly, a quick attach assembly, or a plow attachment. 11.The refuse vehicle of claim 1, wherein (i) one of the first interfaceend of the first arm portion of the first lift arm and the secondinterface end of the second arm portion of the first lift arm includes aprotrusion and (ii) the other of the first interface end of the firstarm portion of the first lift arm and the second interface end of thesecond arm portion of the first lift arm defines a cavity that slidablyreceives the protrusion.
 12. The refuse vehicle of claim 1, wherein (i)one of the third interface end of the third arm portion of the secondlift arm and the fourth interface end of the fourth arm portion of thesecond lift arm includes a protrusion and (ii) the other of the thirdinterface end of the third arm portion of the second lift arm and thefourth interface end of the fourth arm portion of the second lift armdefines a cavity that slidably receives the protrusion.
 13. The refusevehicle of claim 1, wherein the first pivot end of the first arm portionis pivotally coupled to a first side of the body and the second pivotend of the third arm portion is pivotally coupled to an opposing secondside of the body.
 14. A lift assembly for a vehicle, the lift assemblycomprising: a first lift arm including: a first arm portion having (i) afirst pivot end and (ii) a first interface end; and a second arm portionhaving (i) a second interface end that interfaces with the firstinterface end of the first arm portion and (ii) a first implement end; asecond lift arm including: a third arm portion having (i) a second pivotend and (ii) a third interface end; and a fourth arm portion having (i)a fourth interface end that interfaces with the third interface end ofthe third arm portion and (ii) a second implement end; a first actuatorpositioned to facilitate repositioning the second arm portion of thefirst lift arm relative to the first arm portion of the first lift arm;a second actuator positioned to facilitate repositioning the fourth armportion of the second lift arm relative to the third arm portion of thesecond lift arm; a third actuator coupled to the first arm portion ofthe first lift arm; and a fourth actuator coupled to the third armportion of the second lift arm; wherein the third actuator and thefourth actuator facilitate pivoting the lift assembly between a stowedposition and a working position; and wherein the first actuator isconfigured to reposition the second arm portion relative to the firstarm portion and the second actuator is configured to reposition thefourth arm portion relative to the third arm portion when the thirdactuator and the fourth actuator pivot the lift assembly between thestowed position and the working position such that a relative distance(i) between the first pivot end and the first implement end and (ii)between the second pivot end and the second implement end changes as thethird actuator and the fourth actuator pivot the lift assembly betweenthe stowed position and the working position.
 15. The lift assembly ofclaim 14, further comprising an implement, wherein the implement iscoupled to the first implement end of the second arm portion of thefirst lift arm and the second implement end of the fourth arm portion ofthe second lift arm.
 16. The lift assembly of claim 14, wherein: thefirst lift arm includes a first coupler positioned proximate the firstinterface end of the first arm portion; the first lift arm includes asecond coupler positioned proximate the second interface end of thesecond arm portion; the second lift arm includes a third couplerpositioned proximate the third interface end of the third arm portion;the second lift arm includes a fourth coupler positioned proximate thefourth interface end of the fourth arm portion; the first actuatorextends between the first coupler and the second coupler; and the secondactuator extends between the third coupler and the fourth coupler. 17.The lift assembly of claim 14, wherein (i) one of the first interfaceend of the first arm portion of the first lift arm and the secondinterface end of the second arm portion of the first lift arm includes afirst protrusion and (ii) the other of the first interface end of thefirst arm portion of the first lift arm and the second interface end ofthe second arm portion of the first lift arm defines a first cavity thatslidably receives the first protrusion, and wherein (i) one of the thirdinterface end of the third arm portion of the second lift arm and thefourth interface end of the fourth arm portion of the second lift armincludes a second protrusion and (ii) the other of the third interfaceend of the third arm portion of the second lift arm and the fourthinterface end of the fourth arm portion of the second lift arm defines asecond cavity that slidably receives the second protrusion.
 18. The liftassembly of claim 14, wherein the first actuator is positionedexternally relative to the first lift arm and the second actuator ispositioned externally relative to the second lift arm.
 19. The liftassembly of claim 14, wherein the first actuator is positionedinternally within the first lift arm and the second actuator ispositioned internally within the second lift arm.
 20. A vehiclecomprising: a chassis; a body coupled to the chassis; and a liftassembly coupled to at least one of the chassis or the body, the liftassembly including: a first lift arm including: a first arm portionhaving a first end coupled to the at least one of the chassis or thebody; a second arm portion interfacing with the first arm portion andterminating with a second end; a first actuator positioned to facilitaterepositioning the second arm portion relative to the first arm portion;and a second actuator positioned to facilitate pivoting the first armportion about the first end; and a second lift arm including: a thirdarm portion having a third end coupled to the at least one of thechassis or the body; a fourth arm portion interfacing with the third armportion and terminating with a fourth end; a third actuator positionedto facilitate repositioning the fourth arm portion relative to the thirdarm portion; and a fourth actuator positioned to facilitate pivoting thethird arm portion about the third end; wherein the first actuator isconfigured to reposition the second arm portion relative to the firstarm portion and the third actuator is configured to reposition thefourth arm portion relative to the third arm portion when the secondactuator and the fourth actuator pivot the lift assembly between astowed position and a working position such that a relative distance (i)between the first end and the second end and (ii) between the third endand the fourth end changes as the second actuator and the fourthactuator pivot the lift assembly between the stowed position and theworking position.